1996 Malagasy presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Madagascar on 3 November 1996, with a second round on 29 December 1996. The election followed the impeachment of incumbent President Albert Zafy and the appointment of his interim successor, Norbert Ratsirahonana.

1996 Malagasy presidential election

← 1992-93 November 3, 1996 (1996-11-03)
and December 29, 1996 (1996-12-29)
2001 →
  Didier Ratsiraka (cropped).jpeg President Albert Zafy.jpg
Nominee Didier Ratsiraka Albert Zafy
Party AREMA National Union for Development and Democracy
Popular vote 1,608,321 1,563,137
Percentage 50.71% 49.29%

President before election

Norbert Ratsirahonana


Didier Ratsiraka

In the first round, former President Didier Ratsiraka took first place with 36.6% of the vote with a turnout of 58.41%.[1] However, as he failed to win more than 50% of the vote, a second round was held, in which Zafy, who had been able to run despite his impeachment, was the sole alternative.[2] LEADER-Fanilo candidate Herizo Razafimahaleo, who took third place with 15.1%, backed Ratsiraka for the second round.[3] Ratsirahonana, the acting President and Prime Minister, who stood as a candidate and received fourth place with 10.1% of the vote,[4] backed Zafy.[2]

In the second round, Ratsiraka achieved a narrow victory. On 6 January 1997, Zafy alleged that vote rigging and irregularities had occurred.[5] Final results confirming Ratsiraka's victory were announced by the High Constitutional Court on 31 January,[6] and he was sworn in on 9 February.[7]


Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Didier Ratsiraka AREMA 1,321,388 36.61 1,608,321 50.71
Albert Zafy National Union for Development and Democracy 844,459 23.39 1,563,137 49.29
Herizo Razafimahaleo Economic Liberalism and Democratic Action for Recovery 546,211 15.13
Norbert Ratsirahonana Judged By Your Work Party 365,896 10.14
Richard Andriamanjato Party of the Independence Congress of Madagascar - Renewal 178,352 4.94
Jean Eugène Voninahitsy Independent 100,652 2.79
Alain Ramaroson Independent 55,930 1.55
Guy Willy Razanamasy Confederation of Civil Societies for Development 42,873 1.19
Jérôme Marojama Razanabahiny Independent 32,812 0.91
Tovonanahary Rabetsitonta Action and Reflection Group for the Development of Madagascar 32,518 0.90
Philippe Rakotovao Independent 28,777 0.80
Evariste Vazaha Independent 16,071 0.45
Albert Andriamanana Independent 15,202 0.42
Charles Ramanantsoa Independent 15,160 0.42
Désiré Rakotoarijaona Independent 13,488 0.37
Invalid/blank votes 159,834 139,444
Total 3,769,623 100 3,310,902 100
Registered voters/turnout 6,453,612 58.41
Source: EISA


  1. ^ Madagascar: 1996 Presidential election results Archived 2010-09-02 at the Wayback Machine EISA
  2. ^ a b Philip M. Allen, "Impeachment as Parliamentary Coup d'Etat", in Checking Executive Power: Presidential Impeachment in Comparative Perspective (2003), ed. Jody C. Baumgartner, Naoko Kada, page 91
  3. ^ Leader Fanilo sous la IIIe République Archived 2007-10-08 at the Wayback Machine Herizo.com (in French)
  4. ^ Rapport de la Mission d'Observation de l'Élection Présidentielle du 29 décembre 1996 (2è tour) democratie.francophonie.org (in French)
  5. ^ "Madagascar: Zafy alleges vote rigging, "irregularities" in presidential final ballot", Malagasy National Radio, Antananarivo, 6 January 1997
  6. ^ "Madagascar: Didier Ratsiraka wins presidential election by small margin", AFP, 31 January 1997
  7. ^ "Ratsiraka sworn in as Madagascar's new president", Television Malagasy (Antananarivo), 9 February 1997